Upper Bucks Ymca To Open Nautilus

The Upper Bucks YMCA will hold a grand opening Saturday for its Nautilus center in the Sports Center, 415 California Road, Richland Township.

The event, from 1 to 4 p.m., will feature demonstrations of the 12-piece Nautilus circuit and free refreshments.

"It really is the latest in the high-tech exercise equipment," YMCA Physical Director Joanne Ghazanfari said yesterday. "It's the latest and the best in the exercise market."

According to Ghazanfari, the YMCA spent $50,000 to purchase the equipment and remodel the Sports Center's mezzanine into a Nautilus center. The renovations included building a wall and installing carpeting, she said.

Besides Nautilus equipment, the center has three stationary bicycles and two rowing machines, and the YMCA plans to add more cardio-vascular exercise equipment and a multi-exercise station, Ghazanfari said.

She said the Sports Center staff is undergoing a Nautilus training program to familiarize it with the equipment.

Nautilus machines allow a person to obtain the benefits of lifting free weights but in a shorter time, with a complete workout taking about 30 minutes, Ghazanfari said.

"It works a lot faster than the free weights because you have that constant resistance during the exercise," she said.

A Nautilus membership is needed to use the center. The memberships cost $210 yearly for an adult or $315 for a family and entitle holders to use of all YMCA facilities. They compare to normal membership rates of $160 for an adult and $235 for a family. Members may upgrade their memberships by paying the difference.